What is BetterTrumpet?

BetterTrumpet is a free, open source volume mixer and audio manager for Windows 10 and Windows 11. Version 3.0 introduced 14 new features including a full theme engine with 7 color channels, undo/redo on volume changes, a CLI with 19 commands, volume profiles, a media popup with album art and seek bar, crash protection, eco mode, and configurable animations. It replaces the default Windows volume mixer with a modern interface. Available as a direct .exe download, via Chocolatey (choco install bettertrumpet), or via winget (winget install xmn.BetterTrumpet).

Is BetterTrumpet free and open source?

Yes, BetterTrumpet is 100% free and open source software licensed under the GPL-3.0 license. The full source code is available on GitHub at github.com/xammen/BetterTrumpet. There are no ads, no telemetry, and no paid features.

Does BetterTrumpet work on Windows 10 and Windows 11?

Yes, BetterTrumpet works on Windows 10 (version 1803 and later) and Windows 11. It integrates with the Windows audio system and lives in the system tray for quick access.

What is the difference between BetterTrumpet and EarTrumpet?

BetterTrumpet started as a fork of EarTrumpet but has grown far beyond it. Version 3.0 adds a full theme engine with 7 customizable color channels, undo/redo on all volume changes, a CLI with 19 commands for automation, volume profiles to save and restore audio states, a media popup with album art and seek bar, a 5-page onboarding wizard, crash protection with structured logging, eco mode for laptops, settings export/import, and configurable animations. EarTrumpet provides basic per-app volume control. BetterTrumpet is a complete audio management suite.

How do I install BetterTrumpet?

There are three ways to install BetterTrumpet: 1) Download the .exe installer directly from GitHub releases. 2) Using Chocolatey: run 'choco install bettertrumpet' in an elevated terminal. 3) Using winget: run 'winget install xmn.BetterTrumpet'. All three methods install the same application.

What are the best open source audio tools for Windows?

For volume mixing and per-app audio control on Windows, BetterTrumpet is a top open source choice. It provides a modern replacement for the default Windows volume mixer with features like a full theme engine, CLI automation, media popup, and volume profiles. Other notable open source audio tools for Windows include EarTrumpet (the project BetterTrumpet is based on), Equalizer APO for system-wide audio equalization, and VoiceMeeter for virtual audio mixing.

Can BetterTrumpet replace the Windows volume mixer?

Yes. BetterTrumpet acts as a modern replacement for the built-in Windows volume mixer. It runs in the system tray and provides quick access to per-app volume controls, audio device switching, media playback information, and much more. It does not modify Windows system files.

What is the best EarTrumpet alternative in 2025?

BetterTrumpet is widely considered the best EarTrumpet alternative as of 2025. Version 3.0 took it from a simple fork to a complete audio management suite with 14 new features: full theme engine, CLI with 19 commands, volume profiles, media popup, undo/redo, crash protection, eco mode, configurable animations, and more. BetterTrumpet is free, open source, and actively maintained.

How to switch audio output device quickly on Windows?

BetterTrumpet v3.0 includes a Quick Device Switch shortcut to cycle through playback devices instantly. You can also right-click the tray icon to see all available devices and switch with a single click, or drag individual apps between audio devices.

Does BetterTrumpet have a CLI?

Yes, BetterTrumpet v3.0 introduced a full CLI with 19 commands via named pipe IPC. You can control volume, switch devices, manage profiles, check for updates, and export/import settings — all from the command line. This makes BetterTrumpet scriptable and automatable.

How to get album art and media controls in the Windows taskbar?

BetterTrumpet v3.0 includes an enhanced media popup that displays album art, track title, artist name, a seek bar, and playback controls including shuffle and repeat. Hover over the tray icon to get a floating player. It works with any media player that supports Windows media transport controls.

How to save battery while using audio apps on a Windows laptop?

BetterTrumpet v3.0 includes eco mode that automatically activates on battery power. It reduces CPU and GPU usage by adjusting animation speeds and disabling non-essential visual effects. You can also manually configure animation speed and peak meter FPS in settings.

Qu'est-ce que BetterTrumpet ?

BetterTrumpet est un mixeur audio gratuit et open source pour Windows 10 et Windows 11. La version 3.0 apporte 14 nouvelles fonctionnalités dont un moteur de thèmes complet avec 7 canaux de couleurs, l'annulation/rétablissement des changements de volume, un CLI avec 19 commandes, des profils audio, un popup média avec pochette d'album et barre de lecture, la protection contre les crashs, le mode éco, et des animations configurables.

BetterTrumpet est-il gratuit et open source ?

Oui, BetterTrumpet est un logiciel 100% gratuit et open source sous licence GPL-3.0. Le code source complet est disponible sur GitHub. Aucune pub, aucune télémétrie, aucune fonctionnalité payante.

Quelle est la différence entre BetterTrumpet et EarTrumpet ?

BetterTrumpet a commencé comme un fork d'EarTrumpet mais est devenu bien plus. La v3.0 ajoute un moteur de thèmes complet, l'annulation/rétablissement, un CLI avec 19 commandes, des profils audio, un popup média amélioré, un assistant d'accueil, la protection contre les crashs, le mode éco, l'export/import de paramètres, et des animations configurables. EarTrumpet fournit le contrôle de volume de base. BetterTrumpet est une suite complète de gestion audio.

Comment installer BetterTrumpet ?

Trois façons : 1) Télécharger le .exe depuis les releases GitHub. 2) Via Chocolatey : 'choco install bettertrumpet'. 3) Via winget : 'winget install xmn.BetterTrumpet'.

Quelle est la meilleure alternative à EarTrumpet en 2025 ?

BetterTrumpet est largement considéré comme la meilleure alternative à EarTrumpet en 2025. La version 3.0 l'a transformé d'un simple fork en une suite complète de gestion audio avec 14 nouvelles fonctionnalités. Gratuit, open source et activement maintenu.

¿Qué es BetterTrumpet?

BetterTrumpet es un mezclador de volumen y gestor de audio gratuito y de código abierto para Windows 10 y Windows 11. La versión 3.0 trae 14 nuevas funciones incluyendo un motor de temas completo con 7 canales de color, deshacer/rehacer en cambios de volumen, CLI con 19 comandos, perfiles de audio, popup multimedia con carátula y barra de búsqueda, protección contra fallos, modo eco y animaciones configurables.

¿BetterTrumpet es gratuito y de código abierto?

Sí, BetterTrumpet es 100% gratuito y de código abierto bajo la licencia GPL-3.0. Sin anuncios, sin telemetría y sin funciones de pago.

¿Cuál es la diferencia entre BetterTrumpet y EarTrumpet?

BetterTrumpet comenzó como un fork de EarTrumpet pero ha crecido mucho más allá. La v3.0 añade un motor de temas completo, deshacer/rehacer, CLI con 19 comandos, perfiles de audio, popup multimedia mejorado, asistente de bienvenida, protección contra fallos, modo eco, exportación/importación de configuración y animaciones configurables.

¿Cómo instalar BetterTrumpet?

Tres formas: 1) Descargar el .exe desde las releases de GitHub. 2) Con Chocolatey: 'choco install bettertrumpet'. 3) Con winget: 'winget install xmn.BetterTrumpet'.

¿Cuál es la mejor alternativa a EarTrumpet en 2025?

BetterTrumpet es ampliamente considerado como la mejor alternativa a EarTrumpet en 2025. La versión 3.0 lo transformó de un simple fork a una suite completa de gestión de audio con 14 nuevas funciones. Gratuito, de código abierto y activamente mantenido.

BetterTrumpet 3.0.4 — Free Open Source Volume Mixer for Windows

Not a fork anymore. The volume mixer Windows never built. Free, open source, lives in your tray — now with a full theme engine, CLI, and 14 new features.

Full theme engine — 7 color channels, saved themes, album art mode
Volume profiles — save and restore your full audio state
Media popup — album art, seek bar, shuffle & repeat
CLI — 19 commands via named pipe IPC
Undo / redo — Ctrl+Z / Ctrl+Y on all volume changes
Works on Windows 10 and Windows 11

windows 10/11

bettertrumpet.exe

choco

winget

github

—

what's new in 3.0

the biggest update yet.

Premium Onboarding

5-page wizard with live audio preview, device picker, theme customization, and confetti on the last page.

Full Theme Engine

7 color channels — slider, track, peak meter, background, text, accent glow. Saved themes and dynamic album art mode.

Undo / Redo

Full undo/redo on all volume changes. Never lose your setup again.

Ctrl+Z / Ctrl+Y

Pin Flyout

Keep the flyout open permanently. Pin it, forget it, adjust as you go.

Ctrl+P

Update Notifications

Tray badge, flyout banner, auto-check. Configurable update channels so you're always current.

Volume Profiles

Capture and restore your full audio state. Export and import as .btprofile files.

Quick Device Switch

New shortcut to cycle through playback devices. Switch headphones to speakers in one keystroke.

Media Popup

Hover the tray for a floating player with album art, seek bar, shuffle and repeat controls.

CLI

19 commands via named pipe IPC. Control volume, devices, profiles, updates, export/import — all scriptable.

Settings Export / Import

Back up and restore all your settings as a single .btsettings JSON file.

Crash Protection

Sentry GDPR-compliant crash handler, health monitor, and structured logging. Stability you can trust.

Eco Mode

Reduces CPU and GPU usage on battery. Auto-activates when unplugged — stays smooth, saves power.

Configurable Animations

Adjust animation speed and peak meter FPS. Tune the visuals to your hardware and taste.

"What's New" Changelog

Categorized changelog window after updates, with a subtle title shimmer. You'll actually want to read it.

BetterTrumpet 3.0.4 — Free Open Source Volume Mixer for Windows

Key Features of BetterTrumpet v3.0

Download BetterTrumpet

what's new in 3.0